Rare bunt produces a win

Indians manager Manny Acta is not a big fan of the sacrifice bunt, but that didn't prevent him from calling for one in the seventh inning Tuesday night, and it led to a victory.

Aaron Cunningham's suicide-squeeze bunt drove in the eventual winning run as the Indians beat Detroit 3-2 in the first game of an important three-game series between the AL Central rivals.

Cleveland came into the game with just seven sacrifice bunts, the fewest of any team in the majors by a wide margin. The Indians are on a pace for 12 sacrifice bunts, which would easily be the lowest total in club history. The 1998 and 2008 teams each had 30 to share the low mark.

The Indians went into Tuesday's game with just one sacrifice bunt since May 1, a span of 76 games.

Acta's philosophy on sacrifice bunts is simple.

"I'm not a big fan of giving up outs. The teams that sacrifice bunt are usually the teams that are stacked and can afford to give up outs," he said. "We are not in that position, so I pick and choose my spots."

Acta says statistically the sacrifice bunt is overrated and misunderstood.

"Statistics show that a runner at first base and no outs has a better chance of scoring than a runner at second and one out," he said.

There are several National League pitchers who have more sacrifice bunts than the entire Indians team, but Acta showed Tuesday he can find key situations in which to call for a bunt.

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MLB Team Report - Cleveland Indians - NOTES, QUOTES

--INF/OF Brent Lillibridge, acquired in a trade with Boston, will back up several positions for the Indians, most notably shortstop. The Indians have not had a true backup shortstop for most of this season. 3B Jose Lopez has served as the backup shortstop. He will allow the Indians to rest SS Asdrubal Cabrera and 2B Jason Kipnis, manager Manny Acta said. Cleveland sent RHP Jose De La Torre to the Red Sox. De La Torre, 26, was a combined 8-1 with two saves and a 2.91 ERA in 34 games (one start) for Class AAA Columbus and Class AA Akron.

--OF Aaron Cunningham is used mostly as a late-inning defensive replacement, but Tuesday night his suicide-squeeze bunt in the seventh inning drove in the eventual game-winning run in the Indians' 3-2 victory over Detroit. "He's a good bunter and executed it well. He didn't give it away. He squared around at just the right time," manager Manny Acta said.

--RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, who had a 7.48 ERA in four previous starts this month, pitched six scoreless innings Tuesday against Detroit. "Everyone knows what we're playing for -- to win the division. We have to start right here," Jimenez said.

--RHP Roberto Hernandez, returning from a suspension for identity fraud, will make his first minor league start Thursday for low-A Lake County (Eastlake, Ohio). He is scheduled to throw four or five innings, a maximum of 75 pitches, Cleveland manager Manny Acta said.

--LHP Rafael Perez pitched two scoreless innings and allowed one hit Monday in his third rehab appearance for Class AA Akron. In three appearances, Perez has pitched four shutout innings. He has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a strained muscle on his left side.

--3B Lonnie Chisenhall (broken right forearm) was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired INF/OF Brent Lillibridge. Chisenhall had surgery June 30, and he is expected to be out until at least late August.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Sacrifice bunts by the Indians in their last 76 games prior to OF Aaron Cunningham's suicide squeeze in the seventh inning Tuesday night.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's nice to be able to do something to help the team." -- Little-used OF Aaron Cunningham, whose seventh inning suicide squeeze drove in the eventual winning run in the Indians' 3-2 victory over Detroit.

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MLB Team Report - Cleveland Indians - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--3B Lonnie Chisenhall (broken right forearm) went on the 15-day disabled list June 30, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 24. He had surgery June 30, and he is expected to be out until at least late August.

--LHP Rafael Perez (strained left lat muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 26. He was cleared to resume a throwing program in mid-June. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Akron on July 14, then pitched for Class AAA Columbus on July 18. He pitched again for Akron on July 23.

--OF Grady Sizemore (back surgery in March 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list April 4. He was cleared to begin baseball activities in late April and took live batting practice May 16. His rehab was slowed again in early June, and there was no timetable for his return.

--RHP Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery in September 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 26. He threw a bullpen session June 27, but it's questionable whether he'll see any action this season.